The Travel, Hiking & Lifestyle Blog
On one of our journeys through the panhandle of Texas, we spent 3-days at Caprock State Park. The 15,000-acre park is a scenic canyon with a classically rugged west Texas landscape. We visited this area in late February. The temperatures were in the low 30-degrees at night and the 60s during the day. The desert-like […]
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Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a natural wonder that every outdoor adventure seeker should visit. Located in the Texas panhandle, the park is home to the second-largest canyon in the United States. The rocky gorge stretches over 120 miles in length and up to 20 miles in width. With its stunning rock formations, wildlife, […]
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At the heart of Custer State Park lies 14-miles of winding pavement called the Needles Highway. Built in the 1920s, the road is an engineering marvel that’s located within the South Dakota Black Hills. Known for its three narrow tunnels, steep climbs, and hairpin turns the 2-lane road offers park visitors an unforgettable driving experience […]
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Nestled inside the stunning Custer State Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota, Sylvan Lake offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature at its best. The pristine lake is surrounded by towering granite cliffs and lush forests, creating a breathtaking backdrop for nature lovers. After a long hike to Black Elk Peak, a swim […]
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Life flows like a stream. When I walk next to a stream, it reminds me of life. I look at the moving water as an analogy with its twists, turns, and uncertainties along the way. It is amazing how streams are so different, as is our journey in life. Some streams start small and change course […]
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Hiking the Black Elk Peak Trail is considered by many to be the best hike in Custer State Park. The 7.5-mile loop starts near Sylvan Lake and winds its way through the Black Forest Wilderness area. At the summit, hikers stand on a 7,242-foot granite mountain that is the highest point in South Dakota. Perched […]
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Little Devil’s Tower was one of our favorite hiking destinations when we visited Custer State Park in South Dakota. On our second day in the park, we met a local couple who strongly suggested we climb the rock tower. They were very knowledgeable about the park generally and convinced us we should add the hike […]
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On a morning in September, the stone spires on the Cathedral Trail in Custer State Park stood tall and imposing. Contrasting the towering rock was a vivid blue-sky background draped with fluffy white cumulus clouds. We were on the trail at the break of day and the picturesque landscape in front of us was stunning. […]
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On an unmarked path, a natural rock formation called the “Subway” off Boyton Canyon Trail is a stunning natural feature. Interestingly, the site is one of the coolest places in Sedona but is not officially listed on area maps or brochures. Somehow, visitors to the area have to learn about it on their own and […]
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Fay Canyon Trail is an easy 2.5-mile roundtrip hike in Sedona. It was the second hike of the day for us and we actually selected it because it was less challenging. Our expectation for the trail was modest. We thought it was a good way to add a few miles for exercise while seeing an […]
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The Cathedral Rock in Sedona is one of the area’s iconic landmarks. The sandstone butte emerges from a relatively flat section of uninteresting land. From a distance, it looks inviting but doesn’t seem that much different than other buttes in Arizona. As we got closer and stood at the base of the mesa, the towering […]
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The day we hiked Bear Mountain was among the most memorable we experienced while in Sedona, Arizona. Our story starts with a near disaster and ends with a feeling of inspiration and awe. After a few days of visiting the area, we felt like we had seen the most popular and infamous landmarks. We decided […]
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Gail and I had never visited Sedona, Arizona before. Arriving to town mid-morning our eyes scanned the landscape with awe. The town and surrounding area were beautiful and inviting in every direction. After a quick stop at the visitor’s center to get our bearings and some regional maps, we chose the Jordan Trail to Soldier […]
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